Bah!
Just noticed the camera glass on the back on the phone has a nice crack through it... not sure how it happened as the phone has barely been used and never dropped!
Luckily it doesn't seem to be effecting the photos - but it is a bit of a worry and I don't want it getting worse and damaging the actual camera lens
Does anyone know of anywhere in the UK that I might be able to source a replacement part this early in the phones life cycle?
I don't really want to get Samsung or Vodafone to fix it as I had my S3 sent back due to a manufacturing issue and didn't see the phone for another 5 weeks!!
From what I can see in the tear down videos, the camera is quite easy to get to and the glass is quite easy to remove, so I might give it a go at home...
As for the warranty - I assume this voids it, but I can't see any security seals that would let them know this had been done, am I missing something?
Thanks for your help!
Are you sure it's a crack in the glass and not just a scratch in the protective seal? I've had some bubbles under what I assumed was the glass but it turned out I just didn't remove the plastic seal that was on the real glass.
Can't help you with replacement if it's really cracked, good luck though!
bioweb said:
Are you sure it's a crack in the glass and not just a scratch in the protective seal? I've had some bubbles under what I assumed was the glass but it turned out I just didn't remove the plastic seal that was on the real glass.
Can't help you with replacement if it's really cracked, good luck though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, Unfortunately it's a pretty genuine crack, you can feel the two pieces shifting slightly when you gently tap the area - very frustrating
LoveJimbo said:
Nope, Unfortunately it's a pretty genuine crack, you can feel the two pieces shifting slightly when you gently tap the area - very frustrating
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the S3 you could remove the glass cover the lens is actually further back in the housing, try this video see if it works the same on the S4.
Cant help with a replacement part but at least you can remove it and order one espares once they become available.
Ah that's a good idea!
Before I start hacking away at it to check, does anyone have an S3 and S4 and could compare the camera housing by eye - just to see if they do look like they are built in a similar way?
Thanks for your help!
Jim
LoveJimbo said:
Ah that's a good idea!
Before I start hacking away at it to check, does anyone have an S3 and S4 and could compare the camera housing by eye - just to see if they do look like they are built in a similar way?
Thanks for your help!
Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just looked at my S3 and it is different appears the S4 is more intergrated theirs no natural place you could get a pin to lift it away.
Related
Is it possible to JUST replace the back glass on the battery door? Has anyone attempted this? Ive looked and seen that the whole part (glass and door) is around 60 dollars which is kinda pricey and just the glass is around 20 which is alot better in my book so I was wondering if it is at all possible? Thanks for any info!
Nocturnal86 said:
Is it possible to JUST replace the back glass on the battery door? Has anyone attempted this? Ive looked and seen that the whole part (glass and door) is around 60 dollars which is kinda pricey and just the glass is around 20 which is alot better in my book so I was wondering if it is at all possible? Thanks for any info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes its possible, you just have to be careful with the NFC and inductive charging coils
lopezk38 said:
Yes its possible, you just have to be careful with the NFC and inductive charging coils
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks thats good to know. Is there a guide or anything that shows how and where to be careful and whats the best way to remove the glass from the back?
Nocturnal86 said:
Thanks thats good to know. Is there a guide or anything that shows how and where to be careful and whats the best way to remove the glass from the back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be jerk but it's not rocket science. There is no best way to open it. There's only one way to do it. Just take off the back case and replace it with the new one and that's it. don't worry about the stuff inside the back cover. It's glued tight.
Here's a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZDAIgwbXk4
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
scream4cheese said:
Not to be jerk but it's not rocket science. There is no best way to open it. There's only one way to do it. Just take off the back case and replace it with the new one and that's it. don't worry about the stuff inside the back cover. It's glued tight.
Here's a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZDAIgwbXk4
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I emphasized JUST the glass cause thats what I want to do JUST the glass not the entire back cause its potentially cheaper to go that way not the entire back which I know is easier to do but it costs more. I havent seen anyone actually replace JUST the glass which is what I was asking about. Idk if its glued to just plastic and i can break it apart and pry it off then clean and re-glue or stick, or if the nfc and wcharging contacts are glued to the glass in some way or what, thats where I want to be careful
it is possible. the best bet is to go ahead and remove all the glass pieces and that will determine which part to order. be carefule because the nfc and wireless charger are glued directly to the glass so if you rip the nfc or wireless charger you need to buy the whole thing. there is a foil attached to the inside of the back that is extremely easy to rip. mine was shattered into a lot of tiny pieces so it took a long time to remove all of the glass. so now i can just buy the glass instead of the whole back cover. it is a pain but it can be done.
justin g. said:
it is possible. the best bet is to go ahead and remove all the glass pieces and that will determine which part to order. be carefule because the nfc and wireless charger are glued directly to the glass so if you rip the nfc or wireless charger you need to buy the whole thing. there is a foil attached to the inside of the back that is extremely easy to rip. mine was shattered into a lot of tiny pieces so it took a long time to remove all of the glass. so now i can just buy the glass instead of the whole back cover. it is a pain but it can be done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok interesting i thought it may be like you described. My back isnt completly shattered just by the speaker grill and then its spread out in large cracks so its not a terrible shatter. Do you think it would be easier to remove the glass since it isnt completely shattered? And should I use heat to soften the glue and lessen the chance it rips off the nfc sticker? And would you happen to have pics or know of pics of what it looks like under the glass or with the glass removed? Thanks for your help and info!
I can pull the back off mine later and get a pic. But I'll have to wait until I get off work.
Nocturnal86 said:
ok interesting i thought it may be like you described. My back isnt completly shattered just by the speaker grill and then its spread out in large cracks so its not a terrible shatter. Do you think it would be easier to remove the glass since it isnt completely shattered? And should I use heat to soften the glue and lessen the chance it rips off the nfc sticker? And would you happen to have pics or know of pics of what it looks like under the glass or with the glass removed? Thanks for your help and info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heres some pics. i outlined the foil so you can see where its at. i have a wide peice of clear tape where the glass was at to hold the wireless charger in until i get a new glass. heat definitely helps to soften the glue.
justin g. said:
heres some pics. i outlined the foil so you can see where its at. i have a wide peice of clear tape where the glass was at to hold the wireless charger in until i get a new glass. heat definitely helps to soften the glue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow thanks man! Looks like there's a few gaps for the glass and the nfc charging coil is loose without the glass. Interesting. I wonder how it will look on the inside after the new piece of glass is placed like messy or as clean as the original look. Do you know what should be used to stick the new glass? I'm still debating if I should do this lol
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Im not real sure what to use either but I'd say to use some epoxy of some sort. I don't know if it would eat away at the paint on the back side of the glass or not. So I'd test it on something besides your phone first. I don't think two side tape would stay very well.
Ok folks, there's probably a thread on this somewhere, but I haven't found it yet, and frankly I've got plenty to do as it is, so forgive me for not making a thorough search.
Anyhow, I've managed to crack the screen just above the home and app buttons, which is a pain, but **** happens. I've noticed that on eBay the screen + LCD combo is around A$140 while the front glass alone is only A$27. Now, since the Lcd isn't damaged, that kinda looks awesome, right? Except, I haven't found any instructions on how to replace the front glass alone with out ****ing with the LCD too. Anyone know?
Plenty of vids on YouTube on how to change the combo, which is a bit of a pain in the arse compared to other phones. All I want to change is the glass. Any help would be much appreciated.
WestAussie said:
Ok folks, there's probably a thread on this somewhere, but I haven't found it yet, and frankly I've got plenty to do as it is, so forgive me for not making a thorough search.
Anyhow, I've managed to crack the screen just above the home and app buttons, which is a pain, but **** happens. I've noticed that on eBay the screen + LCD combo is around A$140 while the front glass alone is only A$27. Now, since the Lcd isn't damaged, that kinda looks awesome, right? Except, I haven't found any instructions on how to replace the front glass alone with out ****ing with the LCD too. Anyone know?
Plenty of vids on YouTube on how to change the combo, which is a bit of a pain in the arse compared to other phones. All I want to change is the glass. Any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use a hairdryer for loosening the adhesive to separate glass and digitizer , being patient is the key but there is a good chance of messing it up
It was my understanding that the screen assembly was next to impossible to disassemble without damaging the other layers of the screen. It seems hard enough to separate from its housing I can't imagine the difficulty in de-laminating the glass from the digitizer/LCD.
I just replaced my front with the combo part from etradesupply it was pretty expensive but 0 hassle. A couple of screws later and I moved to the old main board to the new front part... No heating no heavy prying.
Good luck with your fix.
P
pietro_spina said:
It was my understanding that the screen assembly was next to impossible to disassemble without damaging the other layers of the screen. It seems hard enough to separate from its housing I can't imagine the difficulty in de-laminating the glass from the digitizer/LCD.
I just replaced my front with the combo part from etradesupply it was pretty expensive but 0 hassle. A couple of screws later and I moved to the old main board to the new front part... No heating no heavy prying.
Good luck with your fix.
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't you have to heat the battery to move it when you did the swap? My fear is ill damage one of those wafer thin ribbon cables in the process too. Just looks like a mission of a job from the vid I watched on YouTube. Would hate know how much a tech guy would charge though.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
WestAussie said:
Didn't you have to heat the battery to move it when you did the swap? My fear is ill damage one of those wafer thin ribbon cables in the process too. Just looks like a mission of a job from the vid I watched on YouTube. Would hate know how much a tech guy would charge though.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine had a battery.
This is the part I bought.
OEM LG Nexus 4 E960 LCD Screen and Digitizer Assembly with Front Housing and Battery
from this page (they ship out of Hong Kong)
http://www.etradesupply.com/lg/android-models/lg-nexus-4-e960-parts.html but it appears to be out of stock now. (Maybe I got the last one)
Like I said, it was pricey, but i couldn't risk me screwing it up further since I run my architecture firm with this phone. I was looking for a minimal down time solution because the alternative for me was just buy a new phone in a retail store the next day. Not having access to the lower parts of my screen was seriously limiting. I slogged away for a week using all sorts of work-arounds to activate the dial pad, use parts of the keyboard etc while I waited for the replacement part.
This guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZDAIgwbXk4 does not show the heating stage but he is so freaking calm, it can't be that bad... Do remove the main board before prying on the battery if you go that route...
-p
I just want to add, for anyone finding this thread, that the part I got from etradesupply.com has some pretty obvious yellowing of the screen. This screen was either removed from someone else's n4 because of this defect or taken from the reject bin at the factory.
In the future if I have any breaks, I will sent it to an LG facility.
Does anyone know of another place to buy the front screen with housing? It is OOS at etradesupply....
Just saw this one posted. I have not used them.
http://www.globaldirectparts.com/LG-Nexus-4-s/20969.htm
pietro_spina said:
Just saw this one posted. I have not used them.
http://www.globaldirectparts.com/LG-Nexus-4-s/20969.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks... looks like mixed reviews about this company, though.
My Ex droped her Phone and it had Spider Webs all accross. Her Provider send it in to see what it would cost to fix. The Phone also would stop working correctly in the middle of calls.
It turns out buying a new one would have come cheaper atleast thats what came back as a answear.
So I decided to bite the apple and try replacing the Screen myself. My Ex was not happy because she thought with the second Problem it is not worth the effort to fix the Screen and maybe loose everything. My reasoning was that when the Spider Web Screen touches the Digitizer it will react strangely. So I went ahead and searched the web on how to do it. I ordered a Screen for $9 on ebay (free shipping) which came with a couple of Tools. More on those later.
One of the first Problems I found was that all instructions that I found showed the beginning and the end. But in the middle how the phone will look like when the glass is finaly taken off, I was unable to find much Information about it. Also doing it Redneck style without Special liquids and or a heat guns was no where to be found.
I decided to just try it. Disasembly is well documented and easy enough to do on this device. Atleast to the Point where most electronics are removed so that you can apply heat without too much problems. I decided on using a blow dryer to heat up the Display. I layed the Blow Dryer on the Counter turned it on and Held the phone up to it. Thinking if my fingers get too hot chances are it is too hot for the Display too.. Might be a little incaccurate to read the temperature like that but hey it worked. But soon after I started to remove the first pieces of broken glass I ran into Problems.
As per instructions I found, I put a Piece of tape accros the Screen so that the individuall pieces stayed ogether. That did not work at all for me. It just made the individual pieces push against the valuable digitizer below it. My next Problem was that the Tools that came with the replacement glass, especially the Little plastic Tools did not hold up to the Job und the tip was soon useless. I had to Switch to a Raizor blade. A couple of times I sliped and hit the Digitizer. Thinking oh well I guess I Need to get a new one. Luckely on the end it all worked out much better then I would have hoped. The left over glue I rubbed mostly off with my finger which worked out nicely. To clean it completely from ist glue took some time. The black rubber allong the side of the phone allso suffered. You might want to look out that that does not get riped out completely. I had enough left over so that the glass would sit on it good enough luckely.
Take a look at these Pictures and remember it works perfectly again for $9. While it is not for everyone to seperate a Glass from a Digitizer it is acctualy less fragile as you might think. The third Picture Shows you how it looked with all the scuff marks from taking off the glass. You can still see a few little marks on the end but hard to notice and much better then before. I am sure next time I will be more carefull and use the blade from the beginning on.
I got more Pictures and will improve this Thread for others that have to go through it. Feel free to PM me if you have any Questions. A list of other resources will also be included. This is only to explain and Show the bare state.
Reserved for links
Additional Screen Replacement Links:
Do you know if we can replace the metal frame on the side?
My device is bent. I mean. I fell on a rock with my device in my pocket and the rock directly hit the phone. Luckily I had a hsrd case and the device is still alive.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
supreethms said:
Do you know if we can replace the metal frame on the side?
My device is bent. I mean. I fell on a rock with my device in my pocket and the rock directly hit the phone. Luckily I had a hsrd case and the device is still alive.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to find a new Frame for a resonable Price. Now to remove the digitizer from the Frame that is another Story. Not sure if it was the Glue or what Held it in place but I could not figure out how to get that out. luckely the two Buttons at the bottom survived the Screen removal and so I did not hat to take the Digitizer out.
Useful information and explains why repair shops will usually only replace the complete assembly. Read many complaints that those cheap ebay screens are plastic and easily scratched, not genuine gorilla glass replacements?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150998824149?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I've ordered one of these as mines a bit scuffed and what looks like a small crack in it.
boomboomer said:
Useful information and explains why repair shops will usually only replace the complete assembly. Read many complaints that those cheap ebay screens are plastic and easily scratched, not genuine gorilla glass replacements?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is definetly cheaper then the original but if you have done it once. Chances are You will be able to do it again much easier. So if the $9 Glass only holds for example a Year. You can just replace it again. Or spend a little more for a original replacement glass.
Now I should Point out if the rubber seal around it gets damaged in the process and if the 3M Tape that should come with the Screen is placed wrong it will Impact the sensitivity of the sreen touches. I guess I did it right because my Ex is happy how it performs and that is saying allot.
madmackem said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150998824149?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I've ordered one of these as mines a bit scuffed and what looks like a small crack in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you get down to removing the digitizer from the Frame take a couple of Pictures and post them here.
Just got a few weeks ago my I9505 from a repair centre.. I cracked it's glass and got a replacement for around $40.
I can clearly see a lot of dust under the glass, above home button. I think it also penetrated below back button.
The touch works fine in the rest of the screen, only in the parties mentioned above it doesn't, works hard sometimes.:crying:
My question is: Can I remove the dust without cracking the glass? I don't want to buy a new one..
I heard that you can heat it with a hair dryer and pick just the glass up without cracking with metal tweezers..
crystybz2010 said:
Just got a few weeks ago my I9505 from a repair centre.. I cracked it's glass and got a replacement for around $40.
I can clearly see a lot of dust under the glass, above home button. I think it also penetrated below back button.
The touch works fine in the rest of the screen, only in the parties mentioned above it doesn't, works hard sometimes.:crying:
My question is: Can I remove the dust without cracking the glass? I don't want to buy a new one..
I heard that you can heat it with a hair dryer and pick just the glass up without cracking with metal tweezers..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i suppose you didn't go to the official service of samsung because if you have gone, your service would cost 160$. So it's a second man job. You can go and tell him to restick the glass only or you can search on YouTube for a tutorial to do it by yourself... I prefer the second one. I don't trust anyone, only me!
Cpsil said:
Well i suppose you didn't go to the official service of samsung because if you have gone, your service would cost 160$. So it's a second man job. You can go and tell him to restick the glass only or you can search on YouTube for a tutorial to do it by yourself... I prefer the second one. I don't trust anyone, only me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the fast reply.. I don't have stick, I also don't know what kind of stick I need but .. Can I heat it with the hair dryer just where is dust and remove dust with a vaccuum cleaner or something?
crystybz2010 said:
Thank you for the fast reply.. I don't have stick, I also don't know what kind of stick I need but .. Can I heat it with the hair dryer just where is dust and remove dust with a vaccuum cleaner or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first you have to go o your service guy to mention your problem. After that,
if he won't do anything, you should buy a 2 mm double sized tape from eBay. But you must be very careful. The guy who changed your screen isn't the certified one huh?
Must've leaned against something while the phone was in my pocket but it broke without me knowing so the impact couldn't have been very much.
Cheap poor quality glass on the camera for it to break that easily without me knowing in my pocket during its first 12 hours of use.
For some reason I can't figure out how to embed an image so here is a link to the damage
https://imgur.com/a/3b0hPiY
I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.
Chotu88 said:
Must've leaned against something while the phone was in my pocket but it broke without me knowing so the impact couldn't have been very much.
Cheap poor quality glass on the camera for it to break that easily without me knowing in my pocket during its first 12 hours of use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't need to be a hard hit if it was a small point that hit the screen. Remember the pressure applied to the glass is a combination of the force and the size of the contact point.
Exactly. But I have ti admint I was also surprised by the CNET Video - phew.
For the OP, the Camera Glass is relatively easy to replace as part of the back.
All the drop test videos I see shows the camera being the last thing to break from extreme heights. Maybe something pointy struck it.
Swimguy14 said:
I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't able to get it repaired as the Samsung stores didn't even have the phone launched when this happened.
I have to wait around with a broken camera glass until they have the spare parts to replace it.
But I will have to suck it up and pay 1 or 200 hundred bucks to repair it.
If you paid with credit card, check if your credit card has accidental damage protection
Rotten luck man. I feel for you. Quickly get it insured
Swimguy14 said:
I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it easy to believe. If you tap the camera housing with your fingernail, it sounds and feels incredibly flimsy, and you can even pick at the edge of the glass a little. I have concerns about the long term endurance..
In back pocket? It drives me crazy when I see phones in back pockets lol
Sent from my SM-G988U1 using Tapatalk
Swimguy14 said:
I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
johnwayne27 said:
In back pocket? It drives me crazy when I see phones in back pockets lol
Sent from my SM-G988U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Front pocket. Must've leaned against something that punctured it twice without me knowing.
unfnknblvbl said:
I find it easy to believe. If you tap the camera housing with your fingernail, it sounds and feels incredibly flimsy, and you can even pick at the edge of the glass a little. I have concerns about the long term endurance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only thing I can pick at the edge is the preinstalled screen protector.
Can we get a picture?
Smashed camera glass s 20 ultra
Hi all, I too have this same issue. I recently posted it on the galaxys20ultra subreddit.
Khyle94 said:
Hi all, I too have this same issue. I recently posted it on the galaxys20ultra subreddit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how were you able to fix it?
The Samsung store doesn't even have replacement parts yet for over a week now so now my s20 ultra has dust in the lens and is causing black marks in pictures. Keeps getting worse and worse.
Chotu88 said:
Must've leaned against something while the phone was in my pocket but it broke without me knowing so the impact couldn't have been very much.
Cheap poor quality glass on the camera for it to break that easily without me knowing in my pocket during its first 12 hours of use.
For some reason I can't figure out how to embed an image so here is a link to the damage
https://imgur.com/a/3b0hPiY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you end up doing? If you still have it, I'll buy it from you. List on eBay?
Oof that was painful to watch, Glad I put a skin on those camera lenses.
With a good case you are ready to go.
Bad luck man.
Sora94 said:
Oof that was painful to watch, Glad I put a skin on those camera lenses.
With a good case you are ready to go.
Bad luck man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's a skin gonna do? Make it look nice that's all.
I put a tempered glass screen protector on my lens and the case gives the lens protection also
clone1008 said:
Only thing I can pick at the edge is the preinstalled screen protector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying there's a screen protector on the camera?
lawtq said:
What's a skin gonna do? Make it look nice that's all.
I put a tempered glass screen protector on my lens and the case gives the lens protection also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link for the glass protector for the lens? Thanks in advance